May I write my county and name in advance on my certificates, so all I have left to do is stamp and sign for future notarizations? —  A.A., California

The NNA does not recommend completing notarial certificates in advance of a notarization. A certificate should be completed in its entirety at the time you perform the notarization with the signer present before you.

Hotline answers are based on the laws in the state where the question originated and may not reflect the laws of other states. If in doubt, always refer to your own state statutes. – The Editors

Confronted with a tricky notarization? Unsure how to proceed? NNA members have unlimited access to our expertly trained NNA Hotline counselors to help you with all of your notarial questions. Call 1-888-876-0827, Monday through Friday, 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. PST; Saturday, 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST.